News
Early Childhood chief to visit Luna
Luna among stops on secretary’s tour Monday
By Dave Kavanaugh
Luna Community College
Luna Community College is scheduled to be one of the featured stops when New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky tours the region this coming week.
The public is invited to a meet-and-greet and townhall-type meeting with Groginsky at 10 a.m. Monday, March 14, at the Student Services Building boardroom on campus.
The cabinet-level department was created by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Legislature in 2019, officially launching in July 2020. Among the goals of the department are “a more cohesive, equitable and effective early childhood system” as well as oversight of childcare and nutrition programs.
Groginksy’s background includes various administrative roles in the Head Start program plus service as assistant superintendent of early learning for the District of Columbia.
Luna’s own Early Childhood Education Department programs and offerings include a preschool that recently earned a five-star rating for the eighth consecutive year, according to Brenda Ortega, department director. As part of annual relicensing, the Luna preschool undergoes a state review that takes into account everything from facility safety to staff training in CPR and first aid to record keeping. Additionally, a FOCUS program review looks at lesson plans, curriculum alignment, parent involvement, and measures promoting the social, emotional well-being of the children. Based on the FOCUS review, the program is awarded a star rating. For eight years running, Luna’s preschool has achieved the maximum, five-star status.
In recent months, Luna’s Early Childhood Education Department has earned funding through the state in the form of several grants and scholarship monies. A stabilization grant of $187,500 – part of COVID-19 relief federal funding – will be applied toward several key areas of improvement, including security, safety and professional development, Ortega said. Other grants include a $3,500 Health and Safety Grant for outdoor play areas, a Business Development grant for teacher laptop computers, and a $1,500 one-time incentive award for stipends.
For more information on the Luna Early Childhood Education programs, which are designed to prepare early childhood teachers and paraprofessionals, please contact Ortega at bortega@luna.edu or at (505) 454-2504.